“Yeah, well that’s why we are taking a taxi and not my car,” Leon joked. “But seriously, they have some great music. We’ll just stick together and we’ll be fine.”
Suzanne leaned over and whispered to Annie, “I hope this isn’t a mistake!” Annie did not reply, but couldn’t help the feeling of uneasiness that crawled over her.
The inside of the bar was crowded, but Shirley had gotten there before them and snagged a table. She greeted Leon with a kiss and then turned to Suzanne and Annie.
“Girls, I haven’t seen ya’ll in a month of Sundays. It’s ‘bout time Leon got you two out of that clinic to have some fun.” Grabbing Annie in a hug, Shirley whispered in her ear, “It’ll be fine, doc. Just relax a little tonight and try to enjoy yourself.”
Annie felt the sting of tears threaten, knowing that Leon had shared her situation with her and that she had support from all of them. Settling in their seats, they ordered drinks and sat back to enjoy the music.
Leon kept an eye on the women, wanting to make sure that Suzanne was comfortable and Annie wasn’t bothered. By the time the second round of drinks were finished, Annie excused herself. “Guys, I’m heading to the ladies’ room. I’ll stop at the bar on the way back and grab more drinks. The next round is on me.”
Getting nods from everyone, she headed down the hall. Standing at the crowded sink in the restroom, she couldn’t help but notice the woman beside her. Blond, statuesque, with plenty of tits, ass, heavy makeup, and big hair that made Annie feel dwarfish and frumpy. Skin tight pants, low-cut shirt, and cowboy boots. She was conversing with another woman waiting in line.
“Rocky, I saw you with your man out there. Damn he’s fine. And big. Jesus, he’s big.”
“You’re right about him. Stoney is one helluva man. Been with him a while now and there’s nothin’ small about that man at all. Not his arms, not his chest, not his legs, not his ego, and sure as hell not his dick.”
“Your names even fit – Rocky and Stoney.”
“Honey, that’s not the only thing that fits. His dick hits the spot every time!”
The women laughed outrageously before the one named Rocky left.
Stoney. There must be a lot of Stoneys. Big Stoneys. Nausea started in the pitt of her stomach rising slowly until Annie thought she would choke. It can’t be him. I couldn’t have gotten played twice.
Moving on wooden legs, Annie maneuvered her way out of the crowded restroom and back into the bar. Pushing her way through the crowd it was hard to see since she was short, but she managed to make it to the edge of the sunken dance floor. There was the statuesque blonde. A man was standing behind her with his hands on her hips as she was grinding into his crotch. The man leaned over putting his mouth on her neck and the blonde began to laugh as she turned in his arms, pressing her impressive chest tightly against…Stoney. My Stoney.
Annie couldn’t move. Couldn’t tear her eyes away from the scene in front of her. Couldn’t stop her heart from hurting. I am such a fool. I was never more than part of a case to him. It’s over and now we’re over. The sting of tears that she felt earlier came rushing back. Blinking rapidly to try to stop them, the bar seemed blurry for a moment. Quickly wiping them away, she looked back to the dance floor. There he stood. Immobile. Staring. Right. At. Her. With dark, black eyes.
Whirling around quickly, she ran to the table and grabbed her purse. “I’ve got to go,” she said in a rush. “I’ve got to get out of here.”
Her three companions jumped up without question and hustled out of the bar with her.
“You don’t have to come,” she said, her tears now falling freely once outside the bar. Leon flagged down a taxi, and the four of them piled in. Suzanne’s arms were wrapped tightly around her.
“Don’t be silly, doc. We’re not about to stay when you are upset,” Shirley said.
“What happened back there?” Leon demanded. “We didn’t even stay long enough for me to see if I needed to kick someone’s ass!”
Annie wanted to keep her secret. Admitting what she witnessed would be humiliating but she knew her friends deserved the truth.
“I saw Shane.”
“What?” came the exclamations from the other three.
“He was there with another woman.”
The silence in the taxi was broken only by the traffic that passed them by. Even the driver just looked in his rear-view mirror, knowing to keep his mouth shut.
The silent tears slid down Annie’s cheeks as Suzanne held her close. “I’m such a fool,” she whispered on a sob.